ok here is the deal. I have b18a in my eg hatch with a gsr tranny. i rebuilt the stock bottom end about 5000 miles ago, all is well. I just picked up a mint gsr head w/ 10k miles on it, stock mani, and p72. after pricing things out i will have to dish out another $500 or so for vtec conversion, blox intake mani, and new head studs.
my other option is that i also have a b18b head lying around and thinking if i built it up a little bit, cams, springs, retainers, etc could i make comparable power to the vtec head. now i dont really want to take the stock bottom end to REAL high rpms because i dont wanna snap a rod bolt, so if i could make some good power at lower rpms i would be happy.
right now with the gsr tranny and some tall (about 23.5in) drag radials i am going throught the traps at about 7400 rpm in 4th around 110.
i know i would have to run it up to like 8k with the vtec head to make good power there, but that makes me wary of the stock bottom end. I would like to be trapping in the teens with maybe a little more boost next year.
So the question is - Do you think it is worth it to sell the gsr head, etc and build up my b18b head a little and go just as fast with less money???

Thanks
Burke

 

We have seen fully ported B18B head flow well BUT just as well as say a stock B16A head, IMO ditch the non vtec head for a VTEC head. You can get it ported later if need be, also you have a variety of cams to choose from that wont gie you alopey idle UNLESS you like that VTEC has much more potential, starts with more and only can make more later

 

GSR head as boostfed said

 

ok i here what you are guys are saying. what do you think of the stock ls bottom end staying together at 8k??? i tend to shift early now because you can feel the torque fall off up top, when just messing around. the track i do take it up higher though. i feel it is probably a combo of my b18a head and small .48 ar on my t3/t04e.
thanks a lot for you help guys

 

I've reved my stock ls bottom end to 9K all the time. No worries here

 

Up for more replies b/c im in the same situation. But instead of a GSR head, i have a b16.

 

I had ARP rodbolts in my stock LS bottom end and brought it to 8200 in every gear.

 

I use to have the same dilema and at 1st decided I didnt want to deal with all the bullshit with vtec, and doing a conversion. But if its done right there are no worries, my car gets better gas mileage and pulls alot harder up top. If you get a GE kit and dont take any shortcuts, ie get headstuds, new head gasket you will have a very reliable car that picks up 50 HP just from adding on a vtec head.

Also I wouldnt recommend revving a stock LS motor past 7k as alot of people have blown their motors by doing so. But its just like with anything else, some win, some lose, you gamble with your money and block if you rev past the stock redline

 

i was planning on getting the ge vtec kit, just cause everything is there all at once and i dont have to worry about getting stuff from a bunch of ppl.
all right i am sold, ge kit, head studs and a blox intake mani here i come!!
thanks again all!